New Platinum Conference

For the New Platinums attending their first official Amway-sponsored IBO event, arrival at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan on June 10 was incredibly exciting. After working so hard to achieve their first major milestone in the Business, New Platinums are always bursting with energy and eager to learn more about building a successful, sustainable Business. This group was no different! Following registration, the enthusiastic attendees were invited to tour the offices of the IBOAI, located in the hotel’s adjoining office building.

IBOAI staff greeted IBO visitors warmly all afternoon and walked them through the Board Office, explaining the origin, purpose, and structure of the Association. The elegant, sophisticated appearance of the board rooms and office space spurred a variety of positive IBO comments from “wow!” to “impressive” to “love it.”

The most spacious meeting room, referred to as the American Way Association (AWA) Boardroom, is named after the original Association. Amway Co-founders Rich DeVos and Jay Van Andel made it clear that the IBO was their first priority when they, along with founding Field Leaders, formed the AWA in 1959, which many years later became known as the IBOAI. This room is frequently utilized by the entire Board, and regularly by the Legal & Ethics Committee.

The additional boardrooms, named after the Association’s Founding Families – Hansen, Victor and Dutt – are also where current Board members, in partnership with Corporate staff, give birth to great ideas and smart solutions for the Business.

During tours, IBOs listened attentively, raising questions regarding the functions of each committee and commenting on the generous thought and time contributed by Board members. New Platinum Matt Nichols said, “I like to know the history. You can learn a lot from those who succeeded before you. Being here makes me want to reach Diamond and serve on the Board someday.”

As they heard about what each IBOAI Board committee discusses and decides on behalf of all IBOs, New Platinums Theresa and Glenn Rosario of Hawaii were amazed by the work accomplished within the walls of the IBOAI offices. Glenn compared the requirement to being a strong Diamond in order to serve on the Board to the military. “You have to earn your stripes out in the Field so you know firsthand what’s necessary to fight the battle and succeed. Once you learn how to strategize, negotiate, and communicate out in the Field, then you can implement those skills as a Board member to help the Field and the Business as a whole.” Theresa added, “By being here, seeing the meeting rooms and learning what the Board actually does in partnership with Amway, I realize every detail and the outcome of each decision is considered. That’s why they have specific committees – like Legal & Ethics to protect us and Awards & Recognition to make sure we’re recognized and rewarded for the work we do.”

Attending NPC from Montana, Michelle and Joel Boucher agreed their tour of the IBOAI offices emphasized the strong level of commitment to the Business by the Board. “We knew a lot of thought goes into business decisions and product development by the IBOAI and Amway, but to be here, makes it real,” remarked Michelle. Joel added, “The foresight Rich and Jay had to come up with this Business idea with an Association to represent IBOs and give them a voice with the Corporation just blows my mind.”

As New Platinums exited the IBOAI offices, IBOAI staff handed them a goody bag packed with supplies for their busy week ahead at NPC – XS™ Energy Drink and Perfect Empowered Drinking Water®, a tin of mints, and a blank journal, all boasting the IBOAI logo.